KR102633370B1 - A construction machine, a portable information terminal for acquiring operation data from a construction machine, an information and communication system for a construction machine, and a computer-readable recording medium that records a program mounted on the portable information terminal. - Google Patents

Abstract

In a situation where a construction machine is operating in an area where a communication means for transmitting operation data to the server is not available, processing for accumulating operation data of the construction machine in question is performed on the server. The vehicle-side control unit 17 determines whether the long-distance communication means W is available, and when it is determined that the long-distance communication means W is available, operation data is transmitted through the long-distance communication means W. 1 Controls the vehicle-side communication unit 14, stores operation data in the vehicle-side storage unit 15 when it is determined that the long-distance communication means W is unavailable, and also sends a transmission start command from the tablet 3. It is determined whether there is a transmission start command, and when it is determined that there is a transmission start command, the second vehicle-side communication unit 16 is controlled so that the operation data stored in the vehicle-side storage unit 15 is transmitted through the short-distance communication means N. .

Description

A construction machine, a portable information terminal for acquiring operation data from a construction machine, an information and communication system for a construction machine, and a computer-readable recording medium that records a program mounted on the portable information terminal.

The present invention relates to a construction machine that collects operation data for managing the construction machine and transmits the operation data to a server.

Conventionally, for example, the system described in Patent Document 1 has been known.

This system includes a plurality of construction machines (mobile units) and a server (terminal) that is connected to the construction machines through a communication means and manages the construction machines.

The construction machine acquires operation data (information) such as engine speed, battery voltage, fuel amount, coolant temperature, and abnormal occurrence (error code) of the construction machine.

Additionally, the construction machine transmits the acquired operation data to the server through communication means.

Specifically, communication means include the Internet, network control station, dedicated line, satellite earth station, feeder line, communication satellite, wireless communication, etc. Operation data of construction machinery is transmitted to a communication satellite through wireless communication, and then to a server through a communication satellite, feeder line, satellite earth station, dedicated line, network control station, and the Internet.

Japanese Patent No. 4532789 Publication

In the system described in Patent Document 1, operation data is transmitted from the construction machine to a communication satellite through wireless communication, so when the construction machine is operating in an area where communication with the communication satellite is not possible, the operation data of the construction machine is transmitted. Since it cannot be accumulated on the server, there is a risk that management of construction machinery on the server may become difficult.

The object of the present invention is to provide a construction machine that can perform processing to accumulate operation data of the construction machine in a server in a situation where the construction machine is operating in an area where communication means for transmitting operation data to the server is not available. , a portable information terminal, an information and communication system, and a program to be mounted on the portable information terminal.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention is a construction machine capable of collecting operation data and transmitting the operation data to a server through a long-distance communication means, and for transmitting the operation data to the server through the long-distance communication means. a first vehicle-side communication unit having a function, a second vehicle-side communication unit having a function for communicating with a portable information terminal through short-distance communication means for performing communication at a shorter distance than the long-distance communication means, and storing the operation data. a vehicle-side storage unit having an area for the first vehicle to determine whether the long-distance communication means is available, and to transmit the operation data through the long-distance communication means when it is determined that the long-distance communication means is available; Controlling the side communication unit, storing the operation data in the vehicle-side storage unit when it is determined that the long-distance communication means is unavailable, and determining whether there is a transmission start command from the portable information terminal, Providing a construction machine comprising a vehicle-side control unit that controls the second vehicle-side communication unit so that the operation data stored in the vehicle-side storage unit is transmitted via the short-distance communication means when it is determined that there is a transmission start command. do.

Additionally, the present invention is a portable information terminal for receiving the operation data from the construction machine and transmitting it to the server, and has a function for communicating with the second vehicle-side communication unit of the construction machine through the short-distance communication means. A first terminal-side communication unit, a second terminal-side communication unit having a function for transmitting the operation data to the server through the long-distance communication means, and a transmission start command for instructing to start transmission of the operation data to the first terminal. output to the construction machine through the terminal-side communication unit, and determine whether the long-distance communication means is available, and when it is determined that the long-distance communication means is available, from the construction machine through the first terminal-side communication unit. A portable information terminal is provided, comprising a terminal-side control unit that controls the second terminal-side communication unit so that the received operation data is transmitted through the long-distance communication means.

In addition, the present invention is an information communication system, which uses a server, the construction machine having a function for communicating with the server through long-distance communication means, and short-distance communication means for performing communication at a shorter distance than the long-distance communication means. An information communication system is provided, comprising the portable information terminal having a function for communicating with the construction machine and a function for communicating with the server through the long-distance communication means.

In addition, the present invention is a program mounted on a portable information terminal for receiving the operation data from the construction machine and transmitting it to the server, wherein the portable information terminal is configured to receive the operation data from the construction machine and transmit it to the server, wherein the portable information terminal is configured to receive the operation data from the construction machine and transmit it to the server, wherein the portable information terminal is configured to receive the operation data from the construction machine and transmit it to the server, A first terminal-side communication unit having a function for communicating with a vehicle-side communication unit, and a second terminal-side communication unit having a function for transmitting the operation data to the server through the long-distance communication means, the program comprising: Means for causing a portable information terminal to transmit a transmission start command for instructing to start transmission of the operation data to the communication unit on the first terminal side, means for determining whether the long-distance communication means is available, and means for use by the long-distance communication means. A program is provided that functions as a means for transmitting the operation data received from the construction machine to the second terminal-side communication unit through the first terminal-side communication unit when it is determined that this is possible.

According to the present invention, in a situation where a construction machine is operating in an area where communication means for transmitting operation data to a server is not available, processing for accumulating operation data of the construction machine in question can be performed on the server.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an information communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing the overall configuration of the hydraulic excavator of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing part of the processing performed by the vehicle-side control unit of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the processing of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing part of the processing performed by the terminal side control unit in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the processing of FIG. 5.
Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the information communication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing part of the processing performed by the vehicle-side control unit of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing part of the processing performed by the terminal side control unit in FIG. 7.
Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing part of the processing performed by the vehicle-side control unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing part of the processing performed by the terminal side control unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiment of this invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Additionally, the following embodiments are examples that embody the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

<First embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 6)>

1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the information communication system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the information and communication system 1 includes a hydraulic excavator 2 as an example of a construction machine, a tablet 3 as an example of a portable information terminal, and a server 4.

As shown in FIG. 2, the hydraulic excavator 2 includes a lower traveling body 5 having a crawler 5a, an upper swinging body 6 provided to be able to swing with respect to the lower traveling body 5, and an upper swinging body. The sieve 6 is provided with an attachment 7 rotatably installed.

The attachment 7 includes a boom 8 having a base end rotatably installed with respect to the upper swing body 6, an arm 9 having a base end rotatably installed with respect to the front end of the boom 8, and an arm ( It has a bucket 10 rotatably installed with respect to the front end of 9).

In addition, the attachment (7) includes a boom cylinder (11) that rotates the boom (8) with respect to the upper rotating body (6), an arm cylinder (12) that rotates the arm (9) with respect to the boom (8), It has a bucket cylinder (13) that rotates the bucket (10) with respect to the arm (9).

In addition, the hydraulic excavator 2, although not shown, includes a hydraulic pump for supplying hydraulic oil to the cylinders 11 to 13, an engine for driving the hydraulic pump, a battery for supplying power to electrical equipment, and a rotation of the engine. It has a sensor that detects water and a sensor that detects the engine coolant temperature.

And the hydraulic excavator 2 has a function for acquiring operation data including battery voltage, engine speed, coolant temperature, etc., and transmitting this to the server 4 (see FIG. 1). Hereinafter, this point will be explained with reference to FIG. 1.

The hydraulic excavator 2 has a first vehicle-side communication unit 14 having a function for transmitting operation data to a server through a long-distance communication means W such as a mobile phone line, and a first vehicle-side communication unit 14 for performing communication at a closer distance than the long-distance communication means. A second vehicle-side communication unit 16 having a function for communicating with the tablet 3 via short-distance communication means N such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and a vehicle-side storage unit 15 having an area for storing operation data. and a vehicle-side control unit 17 that controls both vehicle-side communication units 14 and 16 and the vehicle-side storage unit 15.

In addition, the vehicle-side communication units 14, 16 and the vehicle-side control unit 17 are functionally realized by combining a configuration including CPU, ROM, and RAM, and the vehicle-side storage unit 15 is comprised of non-volatile memory. It is done. Additionally, the vehicle-side communication units 14 and 16 have antennas for transmitting and receiving with the communication means W and N.

The vehicle-side control unit 17 acquires operation data when a preset data collection period arrives and temporarily stores this operation data. Additionally, the vehicle-side control unit 17 determines whether the long-distance communication means W is available, and when it determines that the long-distance communication means W is available, the vehicle-side control unit 17 sends the remote communication means W (the first vehicle-side communication unit 14) to the server. The first vehicle-side communication unit 14 is controlled to transmit operation data to (4). In addition, when the long-distance communication means W is available, the vehicle-side control unit 17 is not limited to the operation data temporarily stored in the vehicle-side control unit 17, and when operation data is stored in the vehicle-side storage unit 15. Controls the first vehicle-side communication unit 14 so that this operation data is also transmitted to the server 4 through the long-distance communication means W.

On the other hand, when the vehicle-side control unit 17 determines that the long-distance communication means W is unavailable, it stores the operation data in the vehicle-side storage unit 15 and deletes the temporarily stored operation data from the vehicle-side control unit 17. . Then, the vehicle-side control unit 17 determines whether there is a transmission start command from the tablet 3, which will be described later, and when it determines that there is a transmission start command, the operation data stored in the vehicle-side storage unit 15 is communicated through short-distance communication. The second vehicle-side communication unit 16 is controlled to transmit to the tablet 3 via means N (second vehicle-side communication unit 16).

Additionally, the vehicle-side control unit 17 determines whether transmission of the operation data to the server 4 has been completed normally, and when it is determined that the transmission has been completed normally, the vehicle-side control unit 17 stores the operation data in the vehicle-side storage unit 15 or Delete from the vehicle side control unit 17.

The tablet 3 includes a first terminal-side communication unit 18 having a function for communicating with the second vehicle-side communication unit 16 of the hydraulic excavator 2 via short-distance communication means N, and a communication unit 18 receiving information from the hydraulic excavator 2. a terminal-side storage unit 19 having an area for storing one operation data, a second terminal-side communication unit 20 having a function for transmitting operation data to the server 4 via long-distance communication means W, and both It has a terminal-side control unit 21A that controls the terminal-side communication units 18 and 19, and an input unit 22 for inputting commands to the terminal-side control unit 21A.

In addition, the terminal-side communication units 18 and 20 and the terminal-side control unit 21A are functionally realized by combining a configuration including a CPU, ROM, and RAM, and the terminal-side storage unit 19 is a non-volatile memory. Consists of. Additionally, the terminal side communication units 18 and 20 further have antennas for transmitting and receiving with the communication means W and N.

The first terminal-side communication unit 18 temporarily stores operation data received from the second vehicle-side communication unit 16 of the hydraulic excavator 2.

The input unit 22 is comprised of a touch panel (not shown) provided on the tablet 3. Specifically, the input unit 22 can input a command to the terminal side control unit 21A to output a transmission start command for instructing the start of transmission of operation data.

The terminal side control unit 21A sends a command to the first terminal side communication unit 18 to output a transmission start command to the hydraulic excavator 2 through the first terminal side communication unit 18 in accordance with the command from the input unit 22. It has a communication start instruction means 21b that outputs to , and a communication path control means 21a that controls the communication path of the operation data received through the first terminal side communication unit 18.

When the communication path control means 21a receives operation data from the second vehicle-side communication unit 16 of the hydraulic excavator 2, it temporarily stores the operation data in the first terminal-side communication unit 18. Additionally, the communication path control means 21a determines whether the long-distance communication means W is available, and when it determines that the long-distance communication means W is available, the communication path control means W (second terminal side communication unit 20) is used to determine whether the long-distance communication means W is available. The second terminal side communication unit 20 is controlled so that operation data received from the hydraulic excavator 2 is transmitted to the server 4. In addition, when the long-distance communication means W is available, the communication path control means 21a stores not only the operation data temporarily stored in the first terminal-side communication unit 18, but also the operation data in the terminal-side storage unit 19. In this case, the second terminal side communication unit 20 is controlled so that this operation data is also transmitted to the server 4 through the long-distance communication means W.

On the other hand, when the communication path control means 21a determines that the long-distance communication means W is unavailable, it stores the operation data received from the hydraulic excavator 2 in the terminal-side storage unit 19 and temporarily stores the operation data. Delete from the first terminal side communication unit 18.

Additionally, the communication path control means 21a determines whether the transmission of the operation data to the server 4 has been completed normally, and when it is determined that the transmission has been completed normally, the communication path control means 21a stores the operation data in the terminal-side storage unit 19 or the 1 Delete from the terminal side communication unit 18.

As described above, the tablet 3 is equipped with a program for causing the tablet 3 to function as the communication path control means 21a and the communication start instruction means 21b.

Hereinafter, processing performed by the vehicle side control unit 17 of the hydraulic excavator 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4.

When the process is started, it is first determined whether a preset data collection period for collecting operation data has arrived (step S1).

In step S1, if it is determined that the data collection time has arrived, the operation data is collected and temporarily stored in the vehicle-side control unit 17 (step S2).

If "No" is determined in step S1 and step S2 is executed, it is then determined whether communication with the server 4 is possible, that is, whether the long-distance communication means W is available (step S3).

Here, when it is determined that the long-distance communication means W is available, it is determined whether the operation data is temporarily stored in the vehicle-side control unit 17 (step S9), and when it is determined that the operation data is temporarily stored, the operation data is sent to the first vehicle. It is transmitted to the server 4 through the side communication unit 14 (distance communication means W) (step S10).

Next, it is determined whether transmission (transfer) of the operation data to the server 4 has been completed normally (step S11). Specifically, for example, when the vehicle-side control unit 17 transmits operation data while confirming the amount of data that has been received with the server 4, it is determined whether reception of the entire amount of operation data has been confirmed. do.

Here, when it is determined that transmission to the server 4 has ended abnormally, the operation data is stored in the vehicle-side storage unit 15 and the operation data of the vehicle-side control unit 17 is deleted (step S12).

On the other hand, when it is determined that transmission to the server 4 has ended normally, the operation data in the vehicle-side control unit 17 is deleted (step S13).

If it is determined "No" in step S9 and step S12 or step S13 is executed, it is then determined whether operation data is stored in the vehicle-side storage unit 15 (step S14).

Here, when it is determined that the operation data is stored in the vehicle-side storage unit 15, the operation data stored in the vehicle-side storage unit 15 is transmitted through the first vehicle-side communication unit 14 (distance communication means W). It is transmitted to the server 4 (step S15).

Next, similarly to step S11 above, it is determined whether transmission (transfer) of the operation data to the server 4 has been completed normally (step S16).

Here, when it is determined that the transmission of the operation data to the server 4 has been completed normally, the transmitted operation data in the vehicle-side storage unit 15 is deleted (step S17), and step S5 shown in FIG. 3 is executed. .

On the other hand, when it is determined as "No" in step S14 and when it is judged as "No" in step S16, the operation data in the vehicle side storage unit 15 is not deleted (step S17). Step S5 shown in 3 is executed.

The above processing is processing that is executed when it is determined in step S3 that the long-distance communication means W is available.

On the other hand, the processing after step S4 in FIG. 3 is processing executed when it is determined that the long-distance communication means W is unavailable.

Specifically, if it is determined as “No” in step S3, the operation data is stored in the vehicle-side storage unit 15 and the operation data temporarily stored in the vehicle-side control unit 17 is deleted (step S4).

In the state in which step S4 is executed, there is no means for transmitting operation data to the server 4 in the hydraulic excavator 2. Therefore, the vehicle-side control unit 17 waits for a transmission start command to be input from the tablet 3 (step S5).

On the other hand, the owner of the tablet 3 (for example, the manager of the hydraulic excavator 2) may look around the hydraulic excavator 2 for maintenance of the hydraulic excavator 2, etc. In this state, the following processing is performed between the hydraulic excavator 2 and the tablet 3.

5 and 6 are flowcharts showing processing executed by the terminal side control unit 21A of the tablet 3. Hereinafter, processing between the hydraulic excavator 2 and the tablet 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, 5, and 6.

First, as shown in Fig. 5, the tablet 3 waits for a transmission start instruction to be input using the input unit 22 (step T1).

In step T1, when it is determined that a transmission start instruction has been input from the tablet 3, a transmission start instruction is sent to the second vehicle side communication section of the hydraulic excavator 2 via the first terminal side communication section 18 (short-range communication means N). is output (step T2).

Upon receiving this, the hydraulic excavator 2 determines “Yes” in step S5 shown in FIG. 3, and transfers the operation data stored in the vehicle-side storage unit 15 to the second vehicle-side communication unit 16 (short-range communication means). It is transmitted to the communication unit 18 on the first terminal side of the tablet 3 via N) (step S6).

Next, it is determined whether transmission (transfer) of the operation data to the tablet 3 has been completed normally (step S7). Specifically, for example, when the vehicle-side control unit 17 transmits operation data while confirming the amount of data that has been received with the tablet 3, whether reception of the entire amount of operation data has been confirmed is checked. It is decided.

In step S7, if it is determined that the transmission of the operation data has ended normally, the operation data in the vehicle-side storage unit 15 is deleted (step S8), and the process returns to step S1.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S7 that transmission of the operation data has not been completed, step S8 is not executed (leaving the operation data in the vehicle-side storage unit 15 as is), and the process returns to step S1.

When transmission (transfer) of operation data from the hydraulic excavator 2 to the tablet 3 is started as in step S6 above, the processing from step T3 shown in FIG. 5 is executed on the tablet 3.

In step T3, it is determined whether reception of the operation data has been completed, that is, whether the operation data has been temporarily stored in the communication unit 18 on the first terminal side. Specifically, in step T3, for example, data related to the amount of data scheduled to be transmitted and operation data are transmitted from the hydraulic excavator 2, and whether the operation data that has been received by the tablet 3 corresponds to the amount of data scheduled to be transmitted. It is determined whether or not

In step T3, if it is determined that reception of the operation data has not been completed, the above-described steps T1 and T2 are repeatedly executed.

On the other hand, in step T3, when it is determined that reception of the operation data has been completed, it is determined whether the tablet 3 can communicate with the server 4, that is, whether the long-distance communication means W is available (step T4).

In step T4, if it is determined that the long-distance communication means W is unavailable, the operation data is stored in the terminal-side storage unit 19 and the operation data temporarily stored in the first terminal-side communication unit 18 is deleted (step T5). ), return to step T1.

On the other hand, in step T4, if it is determined that the long-distance communication means W is available, it is determined whether operation data is temporarily stored in the first terminal-side communication unit 18 (step T6).

Here, if it is determined that operation data is temporarily stored in the first terminal-side communication unit 18, the operation data is transmitted to the server 4 through the second terminal-side communication unit 20 (distance communication means W) (step T7).

Next, it is determined whether transmission (transfer) of the operation data to the server 4 has been completed normally (step T8). Specifically, for example, when the terminal side control unit 21A transmits operation data while checking the amount of data that has been completely received with the server 4, it is determined whether reception of the entire amount of operation data has been completed. do.

Here, if it is determined that the transmission of the operation data to the server 4 has not been completed normally, the above-described step T5 is executed, while if it is determined that the transmission of the operation data to the server 4 has been completed normally, the first terminal side communication unit 20 ) Delete the operation data temporarily stored in (Step T9).

If it is determined in the above-described step T6 that the first terminal-side communication unit 20 does not temporarily store the operation data, and if step T9 is executed, then the operation data is stored in the terminal-side storage unit 19. It is determined whether or not it is done (step T10).

If it is determined in step T10 that the operation data is stored in the terminal-side storage unit 19, the operation data is transmitted to the server 4 through the second terminal-side communication unit 20 (distance communication means W) (step T11).

Next, similarly to step T8 described above, it is determined whether transmission (transfer) of the operation data to the server 4 has been completed normally (step T12).

If it is determined in step T12 that the transmission of the operation data to the server 4 has been completed normally, the operation data stored in the terminal-side storage unit 19 is deleted (step T13), and the process returns to step T1 described above.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step T10 that the operation data is not stored in the terminal-side storage unit 19, and when it is determined in step T12 that transmission of the operation data to the server 4 has not been completed normally, the terminal-side storage Without deleting the operation data stored in unit 19 (without performing step T13), the process returns to step T1.

As explained above, when it is determined that the long-distance communication means W is unavailable and there is a transmission start command from the tablet 3, the operation data stored in the vehicle-side storage unit 15 is transferred to the short-distance communication means. It can be transmitted to the tablet 3 through N.

In the stage where operation data is transmitted in this way, there is a high possibility that communication via the long-distance communication means W is restricted for the tablet 3 as well, but the tablet 3 moves to an area where the long-distance communication means W is available. In one step, operational data can be transmitted from tablet 3 to server 4.

Accordingly, in a situation where the hydraulic excavator 2 is operating in an area where the long-distance communication means W is not available, processing for accumulating operation data of the hydraulic excavator 2 in the server 4 can be performed.

Additionally, according to the first embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

When the operation data stored in the vehicle-side storage unit 15 is normally transmitted to the server 4, the operation data is deleted from the vehicle-side storage unit 15, so the operation data transmitted to the server 4 is stored in the vehicle side. By leaving it in the unit 15, it is possible to prevent the storage area in the vehicle-side storage unit 15 from running short.

Even when there is no transmission start command from the tablet 3 for a long period of time, the operation information in the server 4 can be updated at the stage when the long-distance communication means W becomes available, thereby enabling accurate management of the hydraulic excavator 2. becomes possible.

In a situation where the long-distance communication means W is unavailable, the operation data can be stored in the terminal-side storage unit 19, and later, when the long-distance communication means W becomes available, the operation data can be transmitted to the server 4.

When the operation data stored in the terminal-side storage unit 19 is normally transmitted to the server 4, the operation data is deleted from the terminal-side storage unit 19, so the operation data transmitted to the server 4 is stored in the terminal side. By leaving it in the unit 19, it is possible to prevent the storage area in the storage unit 19 on the terminal side from running short.

In a state where the owner of the tablet 3 approaches the hydraulic excavator 2 to an area where communication with the second vehicle-side communication unit 16 of the hydraulic excavator 2 is possible, the owner enters the hydraulic excavator (22) through the input unit 22. A transmission start command can be output in 2). This makes it possible to transmit operation data from the hydraulic excavator 2 located in an area where the long-distance communication means W is unavailable to the tablet 3.

<Second Embodiment (FIGS. 7 to 9)>

In the first embodiment, when a transmission start instruction is input from the input unit 22 (when “Yes” in step T1), a transmission start instruction is transmitted from the tablet 3 to the hydraulic excavator 2; The occasion by which a command is transmitted is not limited to input by the input unit 22.

In the second embodiment described below, preset communication availability conditions indicating that the second vehicle-side communication unit 16 of the hydraulic excavator 2 and the first terminal-side communication unit 18 of the tablet 3 are capable of communication are set to When established, a transmission start command is transmitted from the tablet 3 to the hydraulic excavator 2.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the information communication system 1 according to the second embodiment. In addition, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

The tablet 3 according to the second embodiment has a terminal-side control unit 21B instead of the terminal-side control unit 21A, but does not have an input unit 22.

The terminal side control section 21B has a communication path control means 21a, a communication start instruction means 21b, and a communication capable machine detection means 21c.

The communication capable machine detection means 21c outputs, to the first terminal side communication unit 18, a command for outputting information for instructing the hydraulic excavator 2 to respond to the hydraulic excavator 2.

When the communication start instruction means 21b receives a reply from the hydraulic excavator 2 (when communication enabling conditions are established), the communication start instruction means 21b sends a command for outputting a transmission start command to the hydraulic excavator 2 to the first terminal side communication unit. Printed in (18).

As described above, the tablet 3 is equipped with a program for making the tablet 3 function as the communication path control means 21a, the communication start instruction means 21b, and the communication-capable machine detection means 21c.

On the other hand, when the vehicle side control unit 17 of the hydraulic excavator 2 receives information for indicating a reply from the tablet 3, it sends a second command for replying information indicating that communication is possible to the tablet 3. It is output to the vehicle side communication unit 16.

As shown in Fig. 9, when processing by the terminal side control unit 21B is started on the tablet 3, step T01 is executed instead of step T1 in the first embodiment. In step T01, information indicating a reply is output from the communication capable machine detection means 21c to the hydraulic excavator 2 through the first terminal side communication unit 18.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, in the processing of the vehicle side control unit 17 of the hydraulic excavator 2, after step S4 described above, it is determined whether or not information for instructing a reply has been received from the tablet 3. (Step S41).

If “No” is determined in step S41, the above-described step S1 is repeatedly executed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S41 that a reply instruction has been received from the tablet 3, information indicating that communication is possible is returned to the tablet 3 (step S42), and in the following step S5, a transmission start command is waited. .

In contrast, in the tablet 3, after step T01, it is determined whether or not there is a reply from the hydraulic excavator 2 (step T02).

If it is determined that there is no reply from the hydraulic excavator 2, a repeated reply instruction is output in step T01, while if it is determined that there is a reply from the hydraulic excavator 2, a transmission start command is output in step T2 described above. . This starts transmission (transfer) of operation data from the hydraulic excavator 2 to the tablet 3.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, when the owner of the tablet 3 approaches the hydraulic excavator 2 to an area where communication with the second vehicle-side communication unit 16 is possible, a communication enable condition is established, and a transmission start command is issued. It is automatically output to the hydraulic excavator (2). This makes it possible to transmit operation data from the hydraulic excavator 2 located in an area where the long-distance communication means W is unavailable to the tablet 3.

<Third Embodiment (FIGS. 10 and 11)>

In the second embodiment, when a reply command is output from the tablet 3 and there is a reply from the hydraulic excavator 2, it is determined that the conditions for enabling communication are satisfied, and a transmission start command is output from the tablet 3, but communication The judgment of the establishment of the enabling condition is not limited to the judgment in the second embodiment.

In the information communication system 1 according to the third embodiment, when a notification that communication is possible is transmitted from the hydraulic excavator 2 and this is received by the tablet 3, it is determined that the conditions for enabling communication are satisfied, and a transmission start command is sent to the tablet. It is output from (3). Hereinafter, only differences from the second embodiment will be described.

In the processing of the hydraulic excavator 2, the vehicle-side control unit 17 outputs information indicating that communication is possible to the tablet 3 through the second vehicle-side communication unit 16 after step S4 described above (step S43).

In contrast, the communication-capable machine detection means 21c of the tablet 3 determines whether information to the effect that communication is possible has been received from the hydraulic excavator 2, instead of the steps T01 and T02 described above (step T03).

If it is determined in step T03 that information indicating that communication is possible has not been received, step T03 is repeatedly executed, while if it is determined that information indicating that communication is possible has been received, a transmission start command is output in step T2 described above.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the following aspects can also be adopted, for example.

Although Bluetooth (registered trademark) has been described as an example of short-range communication means N, short-range communication means N is not limited to means by wireless communication, and can be used by physically connecting the hydraulic excavator 2 and the tablet 3 (for example, It may be a means for realizing wired communication realized (by connecting through a communication line).

Although the example in which the tablet 3 and the server 4 are connected through the long-distance communication means W has been described, the tablet 3 and the server 4 may be physically connected (for example, they may be connected through a communication line). .

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which operation data whose transmission to the server 4 has ended is deleted from the vehicle-side storage unit 15 and the terminal-side storage unit 19; however, transmission to the server 4 has ended. The stored operation data may be left in the vehicle-side storage unit 15 and the terminal-side storage unit 19 as a backup.

In the above embodiment, the operation data stored in the vehicle-side storage unit 15 is transmitted to the server 4 through the tablet 3 or directly through the long-distance communication means W. The stored operation data may always be transmitted to the server 4 via the tablet 3.

The construction machine is not limited to the hydraulic excavator (2), and may be a crane, a demolition machine, or a hybrid construction machine.

The portable information terminal is not limited to the tablet 3, and may be a smartphone, laptop computer, etc.

Additionally, at least two of the first to third embodiments can be combined.

In addition, the above-described specific embodiments mainly include inventions having the following structures.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention is a construction machine capable of collecting operation data and transmitting the operation data to a server through a long-distance communication means, and transmitting the operation data to the server through the long-distance communication means. a first vehicle-side communication unit having a function for communicating with a portable information terminal through short-distance communication means for performing communication at a shorter distance than the long-distance communication means, and storing the operation data. a vehicle-side storage unit having an area for determining whether the long-distance communication means is available, and, when it is determined that the long-distance communication means is available, the first device such that the operation data is transmitted through the long-distance communication means. Controlling the vehicle-side communication unit, storing the operation data in the vehicle-side storage unit when it is determined that the long-distance communication means is unavailable, and determining whether there is a transmission start command from the portable information terminal, A construction machine comprising a vehicle-side control unit that controls the second vehicle-side communication unit so that the operation data stored in the vehicle-side storage unit is transmitted via the short-distance communication means when it is determined that there is a transmission start command. to provide.

According to the construction machine according to the present invention, when it is determined that the long-distance communication means is unavailable and there is a transmission start command from the portable information terminal, the operation data stored in the vehicle-side storage is transmitted through the short-distance communication means. It can be transmitted to a portable information terminal.

At the stage in which operation data is transmitted in this way, there is a high possibility that communication via long-distance communication means is restricted even for the portable information terminal, but it is operational at the stage when the mobile information terminal has moved to an area where long-distance communication means are available. Data can be transmitted from the portable information terminal to the server. Additionally, operation data can be transmitted to the server by connecting the portable information terminal and the server with a communication line.

Therefore, according to the construction machine according to the present invention, in a situation where the construction machine is operating in an area where long-distance communication means are not available, processing for accumulating operation data of the construction machine in the server can be performed.

In addition, in the present invention, "short distance" refers to the short distance between the construction machine's direct communication destination (e.g., communication satellite, base station, portable information terminal, etc.).

Here, it is also possible to leave the operation data that has been transmitted to the server in the vehicle-side storage as a backup, but in this case, the operation data is accumulated in the vehicle-side storage and the storage area in the vehicle-side storage is insufficient. There is a risk of sunset.

Therefore, in the construction machine, the vehicle-side control unit determines whether transmission of the operation data stored in the vehicle-side storage unit to the server has been completed normally, and when it is determined that the transmission has been completed normally, the vehicle-side control unit determines whether the transmission has been completed normally. It is desirable to delete the operation data stored in the vehicle-side storage unit from the vehicle-side storage unit.

According to this aspect, when the operation data stored in the vehicle-side storage unit is normally transmitted to the server, the operation data is deleted from the vehicle-side storage unit, so by leaving the operation data transmitted to the server in the vehicle-side storage unit, the vehicle It is possible to suppress the storage area in the side storage unit from becoming insufficient.

Here, it is possible to transmit the operation data stored in the vehicle-side storage unit to the server via the portable information terminal. However, if there is no transmission start command from the portable information terminal for a long period of time, the operation data in the server is not transmitted. Since it is not updated over a long period of time, accurate management of construction machinery becomes difficult.

Therefore, in the construction machine, the vehicle-side control unit, when determining that the long-distance communication means is available, determines whether the operation data is stored in the vehicle-side storage unit, and determines whether the operation data is stored in the vehicle-side storage unit. Preferably, when it is determined that the operation data is stored, the first vehicle-side communication unit is controlled so that the operation data stored in the vehicle-side storage unit is transmitted through the long-distance communication means.

According to this aspect, even when there is no transmission start command from the portable information terminal for a long period of time, the operation information in the server can be updated at the stage when the long-distance communication means becomes available, making accurate management of construction machinery possible. .

Additionally, the present invention is a portable information terminal for receiving the operation data from the construction machine and transmitting it to the server, and has a function for communicating with the second vehicle-side communication unit of the construction machine through the short-distance communication means. 1 a terminal-side communication unit, a second terminal-side communication unit having a function for transmitting the operation data to the server through the long-distance communication means, and a transmission start command for instructing the first terminal to start transmission of the operation data Output to the construction machine through the side communication unit, and determine whether the long-distance communication means is available, and when it is determined that the long-distance communication means is available, receive it from the construction machine through the first terminal side communication unit. A portable information terminal is provided, comprising a terminal-side control unit that controls the second terminal-side communication unit so that the operation data is transmitted through the long-distance communication means.

According to the portable information terminal according to the present invention, since a transmission start command can be output to the construction machine, operation data can be received from the construction machine when the construction machine is located in an area where long-distance communication means are not available.

Additionally, if a long-distance communication means is available, operation data received from the construction machine can be transmitted to the server through the long-distance communication means.

Therefore, according to the portable information terminal according to the present invention, in a situation where the construction machine is operating in an area where long-distance communication means are not available, processing for accumulating operation data of the construction machine in question in the server can be performed.

The portable information terminal further has a terminal-side storage unit having an area for storing the operation data, and the terminal-side control unit determines that the long-distance communication means is unavailable, and the operation data received from the construction machine is It is desirable to store data in the terminal-side storage.

According to this aspect, in a situation where the long-distance communication means is unavailable, the operation data can be stored in the terminal-side storage and later, when the long-distance communication means becomes available, the operation data can be transmitted to the server.

Here, it is also possible to leave the operation data that has been transmitted to the server in the terminal-side storage as a backup, but in this case, the operation data is accumulated in the terminal-side storage and the storage area in the vehicle-side storage is insufficient. There is a risk of sunset.

Therefore, in the portable information terminal, the terminal-side control unit determines whether transmission of the operation data stored in the terminal-side storage unit to the server has been completed normally, and when it is determined that the transmission has been completed normally, It is desirable to delete the operation data stored in the terminal-side storage unit from the terminal-side storage unit.

According to this aspect, when the operation data stored in the terminal-side storage unit is normally transmitted to the server, the operation data is deleted from the terminal-side storage unit. Therefore, by leaving the operation data transmitted to the server in the terminal-side storage unit, the terminal It is possible to suppress the storage area in the side storage unit from becoming insufficient.

Preferably, the portable information terminal further includes an input unit for inputting a command to the terminal side control unit to output the transmission start command.

According to this aspect, when the owner of the portable information terminal approaches the construction machine to an area where communication with the second vehicle-side communication unit of the construction machine is possible, the owner can output a transmission start command to the construction machine through the input unit. there is. This makes it possible to transmit operation data from a construction machine located in an area where long-distance communication means are not available to a portable information terminal.

Additionally, in the portable information terminal, the terminal-side control unit issues the transmission start command when a preset communication enablement condition indicating that the second vehicle-side communication unit and the first terminal-side communication unit of the construction machine are capable of communication is established. It may also be configured to control the communication unit on the first terminal so that the information is transmitted to the construction machine.

According to this aspect, when the owner of the portable information terminal approaches the construction machine to an area where communication with the second vehicle-side communication unit is possible, a communication enable condition is established, and a transmission start command is automatically output to the construction machine. This makes it possible to transmit operation data from a construction machine located in an area where long-distance communication means are not available to a portable information terminal.

In addition, the present invention is an information communication system, which includes a server, the construction machine having a function for communicating with the server through a long-distance communication means, and a short-distance communication means for performing communication at a shorter distance than the long-distance communication means. An information communication system is provided, comprising the portable information terminal having a function for communicating with a construction machine and a function for communicating with the server through the long-distance communication means.

According to the information communication system according to the present invention, when construction machinery exists in an area where long-distance communication means are not available, when the owner of the portable information terminal approaches the construction machine to a position where communication with the construction machine is possible through short-distance communication means. Operation data can be transmitted from the construction machine to the portable information terminal.

Additionally, when the owner of this portable information terminal is located in an area where long-distance communication means are available, the operation data received from the construction machine can be transmitted from the portable information terminal to the server through the long-distance communication means.

Therefore, according to the information and communication system according to the present invention, in a situation where a construction machine is operating in an area where communication means for transmitting operation data to the server is not available, processing for accumulating operation data of the construction machine in question to the server You can run .

In addition, the present invention is a program mounted on a portable information terminal for receiving the operation data from the construction machine and transmitting it to the server, wherein the portable information terminal is configured to receive the operation data from the construction machine and transmit it to the server, wherein the portable information terminal is configured to receive the operation data from the construction machine and transmit it to the server, wherein the portable information terminal is configured to receive the operation data from the construction machine and transmit it to the server, A first terminal-side communication unit having a function for communicating with a vehicle-side communication unit, and a second terminal-side communication unit having a function for transmitting the operation data to the server through the long-distance communication means, the program comprising: Means for causing a portable information terminal to transmit a transmission start command for instructing to start transmission of the operation data to the communication unit on the first terminal side, means for determining whether the long-distance communication means is available, and means for use by the long-distance communication means. A program is provided that functions as a means for transmitting the operation data received from the construction machine to the second terminal-side communication unit through the first terminal-side communication unit when it is determined that this is possible.

According to the program according to the present invention, a transmission start command can be output from the portable information terminal to the construction machine, so that when the construction machine is in an area where long-distance communication means are not available, the transmission start command can be output from the construction machine to the portable information terminal. Operation data can be received.

Additionally, when a long-distance communication means is available, operation data received from the construction machine can be transmitted from the portable information terminal to the server through the long-distance communication means.

Therefore, according to the program according to the present invention, in a situation where a construction machine is operating in an area where long-distance communication means are not available, the portable information terminal can be made to execute processing for accumulating operation data of the construction machine in the server. .

Claims (10)

It is a construction machine that can collect operation data and transmit the operation data to a server through long-distance communication means,
a first vehicle-side communication unit having a function for transmitting the operation data to the server through the long-distance communication means;
a second vehicle-side communication unit having a function for communicating with a portable information terminal through short-distance communication means for performing communication at a shorter distance than the long-distance communication means;
a vehicle-side storage unit having an area for storing the operation data;
Determining whether the long-distance communication means is available, and controlling the first vehicle-side communication unit so that the operation data is transmitted through the long-distance communication means when it is determined that the long-distance communication means is available; When it is determined that the means is unavailable, the operation data is stored in the vehicle-side storage, and it is further determined whether there is a transmission start command from the portable information terminal, and when it is determined that there is a transmission start command, the operation data is stored in the vehicle-side storage. A construction machine comprising a vehicle-side control unit that controls the second vehicle-side communication unit so that the operation data stored in the vehicle-side storage unit is transmitted via the short-distance communication means. According to paragraph 1,
The vehicle-side control unit determines whether transmission of the operation data stored in the vehicle-side storage unit to the server has been completed normally, and when determining that the transmission has been completed normally, the vehicle-side control unit determines whether the transmission of the operation data stored in the vehicle-side storage unit has been completed normally. A construction machine that deletes the operation data from the vehicle-side storage unit. According to paragraph 2,
When the vehicle-side control unit determines that the long-distance communication means is available, the vehicle-side control unit determines whether the operation data is stored in the vehicle-side storage unit, and determines whether the operation data is stored in the vehicle-side storage unit. A construction machine that controls the first vehicle-side communication unit so that, when a determination is made, the operation data stored in the vehicle-side storage unit is transmitted through the long-distance communication means. A portable information terminal for receiving the operation data from the construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and transmitting it to the server,
a first terminal-side communication unit having a function for communicating with the second vehicle-side communication unit of the construction machine through the short-distance communication means;
a second terminal-side communication unit having a function for transmitting the operation data to the server through the long-distance communication means;
A transmission start command for instructing the start of transmission of the operation data is output to the construction machine through the communication unit on the first terminal side, and it is further determined whether the long-distance communication means is available, and the long-distance communication means is available. Portable information comprising a terminal-side control unit that controls the second terminal-side communication unit so that the operation data received from the construction machine through the first terminal-side communication unit is transmitted via the long-distance communication means when it is determined that terminal. The portable information terminal according to claim 4 further includes a terminal-side storage unit having an area for storing the operation data,
A portable information terminal, wherein the terminal-side control unit stores the operation data received from the construction machine in the terminal-side storage unit when it determines that the long-distance communication means is unavailable. According to clause 5,
The terminal-side control unit determines whether transmission of the operation data stored in the terminal-side storage unit to the server has been completed normally, and when it is determined that the transmission has been completed normally, the terminal-side control unit determines whether the transmission of the operation data stored in the terminal-side storage unit has been completed normally. A portable information terminal that deletes the operation data from the terminal-side storage unit. The portable information terminal according to claim 4, further comprising an input unit for inputting a command to the terminal-side control unit to output the transmission start command. According to paragraph 4,
The terminal-side control unit indicates that communication between the second vehicle-side communication unit and the first terminal-side communication unit of the construction machine is possible, and when a preset communication enablement condition is established, the transmission start command is transmitted to the construction machine. A portable information terminal that controls a communication unit on the first terminal side. It is an information and communication system,
With the server,
The construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which has a function for communicating with the server through a long-distance communication means,
Portable information according to claim 4, which has a function for communicating with the construction machine through a short-distance communication means for performing communication at a shorter distance than the long-distance communication means, and a function for communicating with the server through the long-distance communication means. An information and communication system equipped with a terminal. A computer-readable recording medium that records a program mounted on a portable information terminal for receiving the operation data from the construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and transmitting it to the server,
The portable information terminal,
a first terminal-side communication unit having a function for communicating with the second vehicle-side communication unit of the construction machine through the short-distance communication means;
A second terminal-side communication unit having a function for transmitting the operation data to the server through the long-distance communication means,
The program operates the mobile information terminal,
means for transmitting a transmission start command for instructing to start transmission of the operation data to a communication unit on the first terminal side;
means for determining whether the telecommunication means is available, and
A computer-readable device having a program recorded thereon, which functions as a means for transmitting the operation data received from the construction machine through the first terminal-side communication unit to the second terminal-side communication unit when it is determined that the long-distance communication means is available. Recording media.

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